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Caltex Socceroos winger joins Perth Glory

Perth Glory has won the race to sign Chris Ikonomidis, with the winger becoming the fourth Caltex Socceroo to join the club in the Hyundai A-League off-season.

In a huge coup for the club, the former Lazio flyer has joined Glory on a three-year deal.

“The appeal of coming here was the project that is happening at the club,” Ikonomidis said.

“I definitely think that Glory will be competing for the title this year and that was one of the most tempting things about signing."

The 23-year-old joins defenders Matthew Spiranovic, Ivan Franjic and Jason Davidson as Caltex Socceroos to have joined the Tony Popovic revolution in the west.

“I spoke to Matt Spiranovic over the ‘phone a few weeks ago and he really convinced me what a great place this is," the Sydney-born winger said.

“I enjoyed my time in the A-League last season and now I’m really excited to get started with Perth.”

Ikonomidis first rose to prominence at youth level for Sutherland Sharks, before moving to Italy aged just 16 to sign with Atalanta and 18 months later, joined Lazio on a three-year contract.

He subsequently debuted for the Rome-based club in a Europa League tie against St Etienne before being loaned out to Serie B outfit Salernitana, for whom he made 14 appearances in the 2015-16 season.

Another loan spell followed, this time in Denmark with AGF, while last season, the versatile attacker returned to Australia and scored three times in ten games for Western Sydney Wanderers.

At international level, Ikonomidis has represented Australia on six occasions, making his Caltex Socceroos debut against FYR Macedonia in 2015.

Glory Football Director Jacob Burns revealed that the club had beaten off a host of other clubs to secure the services of the gifted attacker.

“We had to fight long and hard to get Chris on board as there were numerous other teams, both here and abroad, vying for his signature.

“To get another Socceroo onto the books is fantastic and he adds further quality and balance to what was already a very strong squad.

“The fact that he has been at a club of Lazio’s stature is a clear indication of the talent he possesses and he is also a proven performer at A-League level having scored three goals and provided four assists for Wanderers in only ten games last season.

“The extra attacking option that he provides will ensure another wonderful selection headache for Head Coach Tony Popovic.”